Charged with a Crime? Call Our South Houston Criminal Defense Attorney for a Consultation
Being arrested for a crime is terrifying. Men and women have no idea what they should do, or if they should immediately plead guilty. Call The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates today to speak with our South Houston criminal defense lawyer. We can defend against all kinds of criminal charges, including misdemeanors and felonies.
You have nothing to lose by picking up the phone and reaching out to our law firm.
What to Do if You Are Arrested or Stopped by the Police
The choices you make matter a great deal, and you can harm your defense if you make a mistake. We recommend that you do the following:
- Avoid resisting arrest. You will only make things worse for yourself if you fight or try to flee from the police. Remain polite, even if you believe you are the victim of racial profiling, or the arrest is false.
- Do not answer an officer’s questions. After being stopped, you only need to provide your name and address. You don’t need to answer any other questions, and we recommend remaining silent. You can simply say, “I don’t want to answer that.”
- Do not consent to a search of your property. The police might want to search your car, jacket, backpack, or home. You do not have to give them consent. Make them get a search warrant from a judge after showing they have probable cause that you committed a crime.
- Ask to speak with a South Houston criminal defense attorney. You have a right to have a lawyer present during any interrogation. We can provide frank advice about whether you should answer the police questions.
- Do not speak publicly about the arrest or the events in question. Don’t post about the crime on social media, either. These statements might get admitted against you in court.
We Handle All Types of Criminal Cases in Harris County
Each criminal case is unique, and individual circumstances can significantly affect the likelihood of achieving a dismissal or reduced charges. A criminal conviction can have lifelong consequences, affecting employment and housing opportunities. The objective of any criminal lawyer should be to achieve the best possible outcome, whether that be a dismissal or minimizing other punishments.
The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Tad Nelson & Associates provide vigorous criminal defense for anyone accused of common misdemeanor or felony offenses:
- DWI Charges. Driving while chemically impaired is illegal in Texas. A person can be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) if their blood alcohol concentration is .08% or higher while operating a vehicle. We have defended many drivers accused of getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or doing drugs. Penalties are very steep, including a license suspension, fines, and possibly time in jail. Let a DWI lawyer review the facts against you.
- Misdemeanor offenses. In Texas, misdemeanors are lower-level criminal offenses which nonetheless are serious. Common misdemeanors include simple assault, petty theft, disorderly conduct, and criminal trespass. Anyone convicted has a criminal record and can face up to a year in jail for some misdemeanors, so reach out to a South Houston criminal defense lawyer to review.
- Drug crimes. The war on drugs has never ended in Texas. Drug crimes in Texas encompass offenses involving the possession, sale, and manufacturing of controlled substances, and defendants can face years in prison for handling even a small amount of drugs. You shouldn’t compromise your future for what was a simple mistake. Call our office to speak with a South Houston criminal defense lawyer right away.
- Sex crimes. Any conviction for a sex crime can ruin a person’s reputation and result in a lengthy prison sentence. Crimes involving underage victims are especially heinous, and defendants need a strong defense brought on their behalf. We can defend against charges of rape, sexual assault, online solicitation of a minor, or possession of child pornography, among other sex offenses. Call Tad Nelson to speak with a South Houston criminal defense lawyer.
- Domestic violence. Domestic violence charges may occur between current or former family members and can result in harsher penalties compared to similar offenses.
- Felony offenses. The most serious crimes in Texas are felonies, which carry the potential for more than a year in prison, as well as the loss of important civil rights, including gun rights. Violent crimes are the most serious, including aggravated assault, rape, manslaughter, and homicide. A defendant can end up in prison for a decade or more. Call Tad Nelson to speak with an experienced South Houston criminal defense attorney about your felony charge.
- White-collar crimes. This category of crimes usually involves dishonesty, deception, or financial fraud. Some examples include bank or wire fraud, credit card fraud, perjury, and forgery. Although these are non-violent offenses, prosecutors often seek the maximum penalties, which in many cases include time in prison. Our South Houston criminal defense lawyers have helped many defendants beat white-collar charges.
- Federal crimes. Our clients might be charged under either state or federal law. Federal crimes, such as drug trafficking and money laundering, often carry more severe penalties than state crimes due to more complex legal proceedings. The federal system is unique and has its own criminal laws, sentencing guidelines, and court procedures. Many state-level offenses are also federal if the criminal conduct crosses state lines. Anyone facing federal charges needs an experienced South Houston criminal defense attorney who has worked in the federal courts and understands the criminal justice system.
- Juvenile justice. The juvenile justice system handles offenses by defendants who are younger than 17. The focus is on rehabilitating the offender, not punishment. Nonetheless, your child could end up in detention for years if a judge finds they are delinquent. Call Tad Nelson & Associates to speak with a South Houston criminal defense attorney to find out what to expect in this process, including whether you can fight the charges.
- Probation violations. Probation allows a convicted defendant to serve their sentence in the community under supervision. Probation comes with a long list of conditions, including regular meetings with a probation officer and an obligation to avoid doing drugs or committing other offenses. We can defend anyone accused of violating probation.
- Criminal appeals. Your case does not end with a conviction at trial. Most defendants have a right to ask a higher court to review the trial proceedings and reverse the conviction for mistakes. Our lawyers have won new trials or even acquittals for defendants who were unfairly convicted by prejudicial testimony or questionable judicial errors.
- Expungement. Any criminal arrest or conviction can make life difficult moving forward. Helpfully, some people can expunge their criminal record, which removes the charges from public view. The expungement process in Texas is complicated—and limited to only a narrow range of cases. Call to speak with a South Houston criminal defense lawyer to see if you qualify for this relief.
Your Rights as a Criminal Defendant
Both the Texas and United States constitutions provide important rights to criminal defendants. The state must respect these rights:
- You have a right to remain silent. The Fifth Amendment protects a person against self-incrimination. At no time do you need to answer police questions, whether at the station or in the courtroom.
- You have the right to an attorney to defend you. The Sixth Amendment guarantees a right to legal counsel. The state cannot force you to defend yourself from charges. Call our office to secure our services immediately.
- The police must remind you of your rights before a custodial interrogation. These are the Miranda warnings, named after a famous Supreme Court case. The police must warn that you have the right to remain silent, that anything you say could be used against you, that you have the right to an attorney, and an attorney will be provided. If they don’t give these warnings, we can move to exclude your testimony.
- The police need a warrant to search your property or belongings. There are some narrow exceptions, such as if incriminating evidence is in plain view. Unfortunately, some suspects give consent to search, which means no warrant is necessary.
- The police cannot coerce or physically beat a confession out of you. Any “confession” that’s tainted by coercion is unreliable. We can move to exclude that type of testimony.
- The prosecution must turn over exculpatory evidence. We always ask the police to share any evidence they find that shows you did not commit the offense. If the police bury this evidence, then we can seek sanctions and possible dismissal of your case.
Some people call these violations “technical.” But there’s nothing technical about the Constitution. The state, including the police, needs to follow the law—and we can bring violations to the judge’s attention.
Our Track Record of Success
The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates is an established criminal defense firm serving the South Houston community. We have handled all types of criminal cases and have built a track record of success that compares favorably to that of any defense firm around.
Attorney Tad Nelson has served as an Assistant District Attorney with distinction from 1992-1995. He has been rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell® Lawyer Ratings and was Board Certified by Texas in Criminal Defense.
We have successfully handled thousands of criminal cases. Recently, we have had multiple criminal cases dismissed and obtained Not Guilty verdicts after a trial. Our clients appreciate our experience and prompt resolution of their criminal matters.
Why Choose Tad Nelson & Associates?
An attorney should be able to explain the legal process in understandable terms to alleviate client anxiety. Effective attorneys invest time in developing strategies tailored to their client’s unique circumstances. Finding a lawyer with legal specialization and board certification can enhance your confidence in their services.
Criminal defendants need a dedicated advocate to help them whenever they face time in jail or other penalties. Our firm is led by a former Assistant District Attorney, and we bring to every case:
- Experience in more than 500 jury trials.
- 30+ years of experience in federal and state courtrooms.
- Agility to keep up with changes in state and federal criminal law and procedure.
Call our office to speak with an experienced South Houston criminal defense attorney about how we can help your case. We can immediately go to court to seek bail or show up at the police station and demand your release. We have decades of experience in the field and will do everything we can to beat the charges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about South Houston Criminal Charges
Should I Request a Public Defender?
No. Public defenders might be “free” for poor defendants, but they are often burdened with thousands of cases at any one time. Our South Houston criminal defense lawyers can dedicate the time necessary to uncover evidence to bolster your innocence and fight to ensure the state does not use illegally procured evidence to convict you.
Can I Avoid Jail or Prison for My Sentence?
Possibly. Even if the criminal law provides for time behind bars as a penalty, many people can avoid prison or jail. For example, you might plead your charges down to a misdemeanor, which reduces the chances of going to jail. In other cases, you might qualify for pretrial diversion if you are a first-time or low-level offender. That’s why having the best criminal defense attorneys on your side is important.
How Can I Pay for a Lawyer When I Have No Money?
Many people in South Houston are struggling financially. Our criminal defense lawyers have worked with clients from all walks of life and financial backgrounds, and we are happy to discuss payment plans and other methods of securing our services.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Not necessarily. We have had success obtaining generous plea deals that make a trial unnecessary, and in other cases, we have convinced a judge to dismiss charges. A trial is never the preferred outcome; however, our experienced South Houston criminal defense attorneys know their way around a courtroom.
Should I Plead Guilty to the Charges?
A plea agreement makes sense for some defendants, for whom a plea deal is the best possible outcome. For example, the evidence against you could be robust, so the odds of winning an acquittal at trial are low. Let us review all the factors to determine whether a plea deal is the best possible outcome, or if you should seek to fight.
Will My Child Have a Criminal Record?
Not all records are sealed, so you should consult an experienced attorney with our firm to review the charges against your child or, if they have turned 18, whether there are any steps to take to get a record sealed.
Schedule Your Consultation with a South Houston Criminal Lawyer
The days following an arrest are disorientating. Some defendants are completely unaware of their rights, and they believe the police officers who tell them they will be convicted if they don’t confess. The prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A credible alibi can support your defense in a criminal case.
The best step is to hire a South Houston criminal attorney to begin constructing a solid defense and represent you in court. Call The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates.